HIF1A and cancer: HIF-1α is a key transcription factor involved in mediating cell energy production and promoting angiogenesis in conditions of low oxygen, which is known to have strong correlation with poor patient prognosis in cancers.10,11,13,14 The 2HG is thought to activate PHD to increase HIF-1α degradation, thereby resulting in continued oxidative phosphorylation and a more highly oxygenated microenvironment.